PLEASE READ THIS FIRST: Luke 11:37-44
What do you sense the Lord saying to you in this passage?
“A Pharisee invited him to eat with him; so he went in and reclined at the table.” (Luke 11:37)
When we invite Jesus into our lives, we are inviting him to see what is inside of us.
And because Jesus cares, he speaks the truth in love, even if it hurts.
This Pharisee critiqued Jesus for his ‘unholy’ behaviour (skipping ritual cleansing).
Jesus returns the favour, and exposes the hypocrisy and hollowness of his holiness.
If I’m in a relationship with Jesus, I should sometimes feel his loving rebuke.
Jesus accepts me just as I am, but he loves me too much to leave me that way.
He wants to set me free, to give me life to the full, to be all that God made me to be.
Today Jesus speaks by his Spirit in us, gently comforting, convicting or challenging us.
We can hear him through scripture as we meditate on what we read.
Through this passage, Jesus challenges me to look at my ‘religion’.
Am I pretending to be someone on the outside, but neglecting who I am inside?
Do I focus on religious activities, while neglecting justice and the love of God?
As Jesus speaks to this Pharisee, I hear him whisper to me, ‘what about you?’
We invite Jesus into our lives SO THAT he can expose our follies and set us free.
PRAYER
Lord, show me where I am focusing on the outside, or on minor issues, or on what people think — while ignoring the things that really matter!
We like to look good or be known as important – as a good person. But looking is not what counts – it’s what is inside me – what drives me. Of myself, I’ll be polishing the outside – the old pride kicks in. Thankfully, I’m reminded and humbled – grateful for the HS’s nudging and putting things in my life to remind me. Having a heart for the poor and for victims of injustice – and especially people who do not know about Jesus. Lord help me to have a heart like Mother Theresa – help me to be generous and committed to the poor!
I think we sometimes turn this rebuke on others, critical of HOW they worship, observe and their traditions. We do this unable to actually see or be inside their hearts. Having a humble heart is very hard to achieve, let alone maintain. I don’t think for me Jesus is particularly pointing out dishonesty but more that which has been overlooked or is out of balance. It is easy for me to follow a tradition or posture but much harder to stay in dynamic relationship that heals me and others. My prayer is to let the love in, let the light shine and trust that the change and transformation happens inside because Jesus is INSIDE, bringing forgiveness not blame, making whole-no shame.
It is what is on the inside that counts. That is the heart of the matter – for that is where it counts. The heart brings life and when it brings the love the Jesus to the surface – to doing – then there is no room for evil to live there. All for Jesus. Then I can be a person of integrity and act justly and kindly and practice mercy.
All for Jesus! All for Jesus!
All my being’s ransomed pow’rs;
All my thoughts and words and doings,
All my days and all my hours.
All for Jesus! All for Jesus!
All my days and all my hours.
All for Jesus! All for Jesus!
All my days and all my hours.